A HOTEL has been awarded a prestigious certificate of excellence by travel website TripAdvisor.

The award for the Tylney Hall Hotel is in recognition for the exceptional reviews posted consistently by guests. They bear witness to the Rotherwick hotel’s record for surpassing expectations.

One delighted visitor wrote: “I am always amazed at how wonderful this hotel really is. In a beautiful setting with gorgeous grounds, this imposing building is breath–taking.”

Sam Aziz, general manager at the hotel, commented: “Being awarded a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence is a fantastic achievement for Tylney Hall, and is a real testament to the superb customer experience we provide. We endeavour always to go the extra mile for our guests during every aspect of their stay, and it is fantastic to see recognition of that”.

The news follows the re-opening of the hotel’s spectacular water gardens last month, after extensive restoration work during the winter.

The gardens were unveiled as part of the hotel’s Garden Appreciation Day on May 7. Estate manager Paul Tattersdill and his team welcomed local VIPs, such as the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane councillor Anne to the official re-opening.

Visitors were able to explore, not just the water garden, but the whole 66­–acre estate. The event included masterclasses in photography and gardening.

In a speech, Mr Tattersdill detailed the works carried out during the winter, and outlined further restoration to be undertaken next autumn.

“It is fantastic to see our water gardens re-opened to the public after months of restoration,” he said.

“We are looking forward to continuing our work across the estate throughout 2016 and 2017 with plans to replant the Gertrude Jekyll herbaceous borders which – once completed – will measure over 250 feet long.

“As a team we are passionate about restoring the gardens sensitively and so all our works are based on the 1906 plans created by the original owner of Tylney Hall, Sir Lionel Philips.”

The lake at the centre of the water garden was originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll. The renovation already completed includes the revetment that contains the lake and a dry-stone wall.

The hotel is celebrating it’s 30th birthday this year, and has already hosted a series of anniversary events. Work on one area or other of the vast estate has been going on throughout the hotel’s lifespan.

Manager Sam Aziz said: “We have more work planned this year, and we look forward to seeing our guests enjoy our grounds for many years to come.”